Apparatus for producing bags



Oct. 24, 1944. w. s. PATTERSON APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BAGS Original Filed Oct. 11, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ENE? 5 i mfm M m Z WM 0 w. s. PATTERSON 2,361,052

Oct. 24, 1944.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BAGS Original Filed Oct. 1]., 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/vvEA/To MLL/AM S. 7%rrERsa/v c Mimi Array/var i Ott. 24, 1944. w s PATTERSON 2,361,052

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BAGS Original Filed Oct. '11, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /LLMM 5 Frrrsesm 5r sq g QL L ATmFA/EY O t. 24, 1944- w. s. PATTERSON APPARATUS FOR PR ODUCING BAGS Original Filed Oct. 11, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y .Z'NVE/YTGK 10/4424 5, P4775550 Firm/aver 1944- w. s. PATTERSON 2,361,052

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BAGS Original Filed Oct. 11, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I By M hum- 14 TraR YEY Patented Oct. 24, 1944 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BAGS William S. Patterson, Arlington, Mass., assignor to Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Original application October 11, 1941, Serial No. 414,640. Divided and this application October 8; 1943. Serial No. 505,430 I 2 Claims. (01. 164-42) This invention relates to apparatus for producing bags.

The invention has for an object to provide novel and improved apparatus for making and filling bags, and particularly paper tea bags, in an efllcient, economical, rapid and practical manner.

With this general object in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the apparatus for producing bags, and

in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts, hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bag forming and filling machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of. the bag sealing members to be referred to; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machineillustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross section of the machine taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the present method of and preferred apparatus for forming and filling a tea bag; Figs, '7, 8 and 9 are detail views, in perspective, of the web takeup, tea distributing, and tea measuring devices, respectively, to be hereinafter more fully described; and Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are plan views, partly in cross-section, taken on the lines l0-l0, |l-ll, and i2l2 respectively of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, in general, the present bag forming and filling machine is provided with web withdrawing mechanism, indicated generally at It, arranged to withdraws. predetermined length of web or bag forming material [2 from a supply roll l4 thereof. The bag forming material preferably comprises a porous, fibrous material containing a thermoplastic, pressure-responsive, binding material so that when two layers or plies of the material are brought together and subjected to the application of heat and pressure, they will become and remain adhesively united. The web of bag forming material I2 is then advanced past bag forming mechanism, indicated generally at I6 which operates to fold the web longitudinally along a medial line to bring together the two half sections of the web preparatory to forming a strip of connected bags. The bag forming material is preferably drawn over the bag forming mechanism [6 by gripping and advancing mechanism indicated generally at l8 operative to advance the strip one bag length each cycle of operation of the machine and to present the strip in operative relation to bag sealing mechanism 20 arranged to simultaneously seal the strip along a transverse zone 22 and an adjacent longitudinal zone 24 during each sealing operation to form a succession of connected bag sections, closed on one side by the folded edge 25, and heat sealed along successive zones 22 and 24. Upon sealing a bag section along the transverse and longitudinal zones as above described, provision is madefor introducing a predetermined amount of the commodity, such as tea through the open edge of the web and between the fold of a partially formed bag section. The bag filling mechanism, indicated generally at 26, is operative to deposit successive charges of the commodity into successive bag sections in timed relation to the operation of the strip advancing and heat sealing mechanisms, and, in the operation of the machine, the open top of a bag which has been provided with a charge of the commodity during one cycle of operation, is closed during a succeeding cycle of operation. The heat sealing and bag filling mechanisms are preferably timed to operate and seal the bottom and side of the bag immediately prior to the operation of filling the bag. Thereupon, the strip is intermittently advanced to bag severing mechanism, indicated generally at 28, which operates to sever the strip through successive transverse sealed portions to form individual filled and sealed bags. The individual bags thus severed may be disposed in'a delivery chute along which they are advanced, in an upright position, by transfer mechanism, indicated generally at 30 operating in timed relation to the strip advancing means and the strip severing mechanism, as will be hereinafter more fully described. l 1

' In accordance with'one feature of the present invention, the strain exerted upon the web i2 in withdrawing it from the supply roll Itand the strain in advancing the web past the bag forming mechanism iii are separated or divided so as to better enable the machine to handle fragile bag forming material in a manner such as to reduce to a minimum the liability of tearing or rupturing the material during the operation of the machine. Thus, in the. operation of the machine, the web I2 is withdrawn from the supply roll I 4 by the withdrawing mechanism I0 comprising a pair of cooperating rollers 32, 34 which distribute the pulling strain across the entire transverse area of the web during the withdrawing operation. The withdrawing mechanism is 2 g preferably arranged to withdraw a predetermined lengthof the web, exceeding slightly the amount required for one bag length, during each cycle of operation of the machine. Simultaneously therewith or directly after the withdrawing movement has been initiated, the gripping mechanism I8 operates to pull the strip downwardly for a distance of one bag section..

periodof operation, so that the strain of pulling the strip downwardly is separated from the strain of withdrawing the web from the supply roll. Immediately thereafter, upon termination of the advancing period of operation, the web is drawn back to take up the slack and to dispose the strip in operative position to the heat sealing mechanism, as will be hereinafter described.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 3, the supply roll I4 comprises a drum mounted to rotate upon a shaft 40 supported in a bracket 42 attached to the machine frame. Provision is preferably made-for controlling the rotationof the drum to prevent inadvertent unwinding of the web, and, for this purpose, as herein shown, a friction brake, indicated generally at 44, is provided. The friction brake comprises a hub 45 formed integrally with the supply roll drum I4 and a brake shoe 48 supported in a bracket 50 and in frictional engagement with the hub 45. An adjusting screw 52,- also supported in the bracket 50, is provided to engage the brake shoe 48 in order to adjust the pressure of the shoe against the hub. In passing from the'supply roll I4 to the web withdrawing mechanism I0, the web I2 is drawn over a take-up roller54. As best'shown in Figs. 4 and'l, the take-up rolleris rotatably mounted on a shaft 56 supported by and axially movable in slots 58 provided in brackets 60 extending from the machine frame. vided with a pair of spur gears 62, 64, one at each end, arranged to engage with gear racks 66, 68 secured to the brackets 60, in order to maintain the shaft 56 parallel to the supply roll and. the feed rolls during its horizontal movement. A pair of light coil springs I0, I2 attached to collars I4, 15 loosely mounted on the shaft 56, normally tend to urge the take-up roller 54 in a retracted position or in a left hand direction viewing Fig. 4. In the operation of the machine,

when the web is advanced between the bight of the feed rollers 32, 34 to withdraw a length of the web, the take-up roller is drawn forwardly or to the right viewing Fig. 4, against the tension 7 of the springs 10, I2 so that when the withdrawing period is terminated the take-up roller 54 is inan advanced position in the slotted brackets 60, the web being held taut by the frictionally held supply roller I4 at one end, and between the bight of the cooperating rollers 32, 34, one of said rollers 34 being movable into and out of cooperating engagement with the roller 32.

'I'hereupon, in the operation of themachine,

place during the feeding operation for the purpose of maintaining the portion of the web 38 disposed in advance of the feed rollers in a slack 1 condition to permit the web to readily shape itself about the forming members upon downward movement of the grippers, is retracted the amountof the overdraft so that the net advance of the web will be one baglength. Thus, the web is accurately positioned with respect to the bag sealing mechanism whereby to produce bags of uniform length while at the same time providin for slackening of the web to relieve un due strain thereon during the web advancing operation Referring now to Figs. 3 and 6, the web withdrawing mechanism I0 comprises the driven roller 32 and the'cooperating idler roller 34. The roller 32, which is rotatably mounted upon a cross shaft 80 journaled in the machine frame, is arranged to be intermittently rotated to advance the web I2 a predetermined length each cycle of operation by a pawl and'ratchet mechanlsm. As herein shown, the ratchet 82 is secured to a hub 84 of the roller 32, and the cooperating pawl 86 is pivotally mounted in an secured fast to the cross shaft 80. The pawl The rollershaft 56 is pro- 7 after the gripper mechanism I8 has operated to will be seen that theoverdraft which has taken 76 carrier 88 is arranged to be rocked to perform the withdrawing and web advancing operation through connections includin a link 90, the latter being connected to one of the vertically reciprocated gripper supportingv members 92 (see Fig. 11) to be hereinafter described. Thus, in operation, the downward pull on the web and the withdrawal operation occur simultaneously, although, as previously described, the amount of withdrawal is in excess of the amount required for a single bag length to produce the slack condition in the web, as desired.

The cooperating idler roller 34 is rotatably carried between arms 94, 95 which are pivotally mounted upon a cross shaft 98 secured in the machine frame. During the feeding or withdrawing operation, the roller 34 rests by its own weight; against the web in cooperating engagement with the driven roller 32 to effect feeding of the web therebetween. Provision is made for rocking the roller 34 out of feeding engagement at the end of the feeding stroke so as to release the web and to permit the slack to be taken up as above described. For this purpose, as herein shown, a pair of angle brackets I00, I02 are provided which are arranged to engage the ends of the roller 34 at the end of the feeding stroke. One'of the angle brackets I02 is secured tothe flange of a hub I04 fast on the shaft 80, and the bracket I00 is secured to the flanged portion of the pawl carrier 88, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. In order to prevent the loosely mounted roller 32 from being rotated ina reverse direction during the retraction of the pawl carrier or during the take-up operation, a spring lever I06, carried upon a cross rod I08, is arranged to bear against the hub 84 of the roller in yielding and frictional engagement therewith. Thus, the relationship between the pawl 86 and its ratchet 82, movable with the roller 32, is not disturbed so that a uniform length of the web maybe withdrawn during each cycle'of operation.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 6, during the downward'pull upon the web by the gripper mechanism I8, the web is drawn past the forming mechanism I5, which as herein shown,- comprises a preliminary forming member or guide plate II 0. The guide plate 'I I0 is substantially U'- shaped and is arranged to engage the web along a medial line longitudinally thereof to cause the sides of the web to be brought toward each other, as shown in Fig. 6, during the downward pull on the web. The preliminary formingmember is preferably yieldingly mounted upon a bracket I I2 attached to the machine frame. so as to permit the member to yield upwardly during the take-up or retracting movement of the'web in order to prevent binding or rupturing thereof during such movement. As herein shown, a headed pin II4 extends through the member I I and bracket I I2 and is provided with a coil spring II6 to permit the movement described. The guide member is held from lateral displacement by a supporting rod II8 attached to a stationary part of the machine frame.

After passing the preliminary forming member IIO, the web is engaged by a stationary filling tube I20 forming a part of the filling mechanism 26. The filling tube I20 is substantially V-shaped in cross section, and, as the web is drawn downwardly, the filling tube, in cooperation with a pair of stationary brushes I22, I24 the web is folded along its medial line into condition to be engaged by the sealing mechanism 20 for forming the sealed containers. As best shown in Figs, 3 and 4, the'upper brush I22 is supported by an angular rod I23 extending from one of the side'frames of th machine, and the lower brush I24 is mounted upon an arm I26 adjustably supported on a cross shaft I28. It will be observed, see Fig. 6, that the tube tapers slightly in a downward longitudinal direction so that the cross section of the tube adjacent the lower brush I24 is thinner than the preceding section. Thus, the sides of the web are gradually brought together, the brushes acting to gently wipe the web about the tube and providing a minimum of frictional resistance whereby relatively fragilematerlal may be handled with a minimum of strain upon the bag forming material. The lower brush I24 may be adjusted to provide more or less pressure against the web by rocking the arm I26 in the desired direction and tightening the set screw I30.

Upon termination of the web advancing movement and after the slack has been taken up, the web is in position to be operated upon by the heat sealing mechanism 20, which, as best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 11, comprises .apair of horizontally reciprocal, generally L-shaped sealing members I32, I34. One of the sealing members I32 (see Fig. 2) is preferably provided with electrical heating elements I36, the numeral I38 representing a thermostat unit to control the temperature of the sealing member. The face of the heated sealing member I32 is preferably serrated, as shown at I33. The. cooperating sealing member I34 is not heated and is,.pr ovided with a cloth covering or fabric pad upon its face as indicated at I40 against which the web is pressed during the sealing operation.

The sealing members I32, I34 are mounted upon similar brackets, I42 adjustably fixed in vertical grooves I44 provided in slidingly mounted supporting brackets I46. 9 One of the members I34 is yieldingly mounted upon its bracket I42, being provided with coil springs I48, as shown in Fig. to permit the member I34 to adjust itself with respect to its cooperating member I32 during-the sealing operation and to provide the desired pressure. The supporting brackets I46 are mounted to be horizontally reciprocated upon a pair of cross rods I50 by two pairs. of cams I52, I54

mounted fast upon similar vertical shafts I56,

I58 journaled in bearings I58, I60lnthe machine frame. One pair of cams I52 is arranged to bear against plates I62 secured to the outer ends of the slide brackets I46 to effect outward.

movement or separation of the slide brackets and the sealing members during the rotation of the shaft. The cams I54 are arranged to engage a vertical web I64 of each slide bracket I46 in order to effect inward movement of the slide bracket to present the sealing members into sealing engagement with the folded web. Thus, the sealing members I32, I34 are positively moved into and out of operative relation to the web to perform the sealing operation. The vertical cam shafts I56, I56 are arranged to be rotated from a main cam shaft I66 through similar bevel gear connections I68, I10, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

From the description thus far, it will be observed that the L-shaped sealing members effect sealing of the web along a transverse zone 22 and an adjacent longitudinal zone 24, the latter comprising the open edge of the folded strip, and that the folded edge 25 closes the opposite side of the bag section, leaving the'edge of the strip open beyond the sealed portion and in communicaticn with the open side of the partially formed bag section. Immediately upon engagement of the sealing members with the web, or directly thereafter, provision is made for depositing a charge of the commodity between the open edges of the web and into the partially formed bag section. As herein shown, the forming and filling tube I20 is arranged to receive a measured quantity of the commodity from the filling mechanism 26 and to guide the material into a partially formed bag sectiomthe end of the filling tube extending into such bag section, as best shown in Fig. 4.

The illustrated mechanism 26 for feeding a commodity, such as tea, and for introducing a predetermined charge of the tea into the filling tube, as shown in Figs. 4, 8 and 9, comprises a feed hopper I12 which forms an extension of a collar I14 fixed in a bracket I16 attached to the machine frame. The tea feeding mechanism includes a rotary member shown in its entirety in Fig. 8 and comprises a hollow tube I18 rotatably supported in the bracket I16. The upper end of the tube I18 is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed and concentrically arranged feeding blades I80, set at a slight angle so that during the rotation of the tube, the blades operate to feed the tea into the aperture I82 of the hollow tube. As herein shown, the blades I are secured to a ring I84 supported from the tube I18 by bolts I86. I

The lower end of the hollow tube I18 is in contiguous engagement with a horizontally reciprocal charging plate I88 provided with an adjustable opening I90, and, in the operation of the machine, the plate I88 is moved into a position to present the opening I90 in alignment with the hollow tube I18 to receive a charge of tea, and to be thereafter moved to present the opening I90 in alignment with the hollow'tube I18 to receive a charge of tea, and to be thereafter moved to present the opening over the funnel portion I92 of the forming and filling tube I20, as shown in-Fig. 4, into which the measured quantity of tea falls by gravity.

. As herein shown, the hollow tube I18 is arranged to be rotated through connections from the main cam shaft I66, including a chain and sprocket drive, indicated at I94, connecting the main cam shaft I66 with an auxiliary shaft I96, and a chain and sprocket drive I98 from the rotating tube I18. Thus, the tea'feedlng member is continuously, rotated during the operation of the machine to positively feed the material and to provide a uniform: body of tea in the hollow tube I18 from the bottom of which successive uniform charges of tea may be withdrawn. 7 a a I I a The charging plate I88, which is slidably mounted in a slide bracket 206, is arranged to be reciprocated as described, in timedrelation to the web advancing and the sealing mechanisms, by a cam 208 mounted fast on the auxiliary'shaft I96 and a lever2l0 pivoted at 2I2 in the machine frame. The lever 2I0 carries a cam roll 2I4- cooperatingwith the cam 208 and is provided with a bifurcatedend 2I5 arranged to engage a roller 2J6 rotatably supported in a bracket 2I8 depending from the underside of the plate I88.

' movethegripping units one bag length and re-:

In the preferred embodiment of the invention,

provision is made for adjusting the opening I60 in the plate I68, and, as best shown in Fig. 9, the end portion 220 is slidably' mounted upon tongues, 222 extending from the plate and which arereceivcd in grooves 224 provided in the end portions.- The end portion 220 is ari'anged to be extended or retracted in order to enlarge or reduce the size of the opening I90 by threaded rods 226 receivedin threaded holes in the end portion. The rods 226 are arranged, to be simultaneously rotated to effect the desired movement through connections including similar gears 228 provided on the ends-of the rods 226 which mesh with an intermedia gear 230. The gear 230 may be manually rotated upon rotation of a knurled nut 232, a secondknurled nut 234 beprovided to lock the gear in its adjusted position. ,7 i

From the description thus: far it will be observed thatin the operation of the machine a partially formed bag-section sealed at its bottom and on one side is provided with a charge of tea leaving the. upper transverse portion of new bag to be provided with a charge of the commodity. The mechanism I8 for advancing the strip one bag length, as, herein shown, see Figs. 3 andll, comprises a pair of gripper members 236,. 238 mounted to be horizontally reciprocated into and out of engagement with the web, and also to be vertically: reciprocated a dis tance of one bag length. As shown in Fig. 11, the gripper members 236,; 238 are horizontally supported upon-two pairs of rods 240, each pair being slidebly mounted in similar supporting brackem 92, 92'. Each rod 240 is provided with a coil spring 244 disposed between the brackets 92, 92 and their respective gripping members which tend to urge the gripper members toward each other and into engagement with the web. Eachpair of rods 240 is joined at its outer ends by tie pieces 246 which carry rollers 243 arranged to cooperate with similar elongated cams 250 secured to the vertical cam shafts I56, I 56. Thus, in the operation of the machine, the grippers members 236, 238 are horizontally IBCiPIOr cated into and from engagement with the web,

the springs 244 effecting a yielding engagement connecting transverse sealed portion 22.

therewith, and the -cams250 operating to positively separate the grippers. The grippers may,

turn during each cycle of operation of the machine. As herein shown, the gripping vunits are reciprocated in the members 258 by similar cams 260, secured to the main cam shaft 166, and through connections including cam levers 262, cooperating rollers 264 and links 266. It will be observed that the cams 250 for effecting the horizontal movement are elongated so that the rollers 248 are in engagement with their respective cams during the vertically reciprocating movementabove described. In operation, the grippers, are arranged to grasp the web at the transverse sealed area of a connected bag section immediately below the sealing mechanism whereupon the strip is-moved down one leg length. The grippers are then separated and returned 'to' a position in alignment with a succeeding sealed portion in readiness to grasp the web for a succeeding cycle of operation.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 12, the strip severing mechanism 28' comprises a pair of shears 268,210 arranged to sever the endmost bag section from thestrip to form an individual filled and sealed bag. In the operation of the machine, the strip advancing mechanism I8 operates to present the endmost bag section into operative position with relation to the shears so as to effect severance of the strip through the The shearing unit is mounted in a bearing bracket 212 mounted upon across bar 214 attached to the machineframe. As herein shown, see Fig. 5. the upper shear blade 268 is riveted to a flanged portion 216 formed at the upper end of a central shaft 218 which is rotatably mounted in a bushing or hollow shaft 280 in turn rotatably supp rted in the bearing bracket 212. The lower shear blade 210, mounted to cooperate with the upper'blade 268, is riveted to a flanged portion 282 formed on theupper end of the hollow shaft 280. A coil spring 284 provided at the lower end of the central shaft 218 is arranged to yieldingly maintain the upper shear in cooperative engagement with the lower shear as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

Theupper and lower shear blades 268, 210 are arranged to be individually operated, and, as-herein shown, the upper blade 268 is arranged to be oscillated by a cam 286 fast on one of the vertical cam shafts I56. A cooperating cam roll 288 is. carried by one arm 290 of atwo armed lever, pivotally supported in the cross bar 214, the second arm 282 being provided with a gear segment 294 arranged to mesh with a gear 296 fast on the lower end of the central shaft 218. The

cam roll 802 on one arm and a gear segment 304 upon the second arm-the latter being arranged to mesh with a gear 306 secured to the hollow shaft 280. 'Thus; in the operation of the ma 2,861,052 chine. successive endmost bag sections are severed from the strip as the latter is advanced by the gripper mechanism.

During the strip advancing operation, the

strip is brought to rest with the endmost bag section deposited in a delivery chute 308 so that when the endmost bag section is severed as above described, the individual bag is positioned upright in the receiving end of the chute, as shown in Fig. 4. Immediately upon severanceof an endmost bag section, the bag transferring mechanism 30 operates to advance the bag from its severed position, along the chute, and into engagement with the previously severed bags which are stacked upright in the chute for convenience in removing the finished bags from the chute. The delivery chute or stacking tray 308 is preferably arranged to frictionally engage the 'side'edges of the bags so as to maintain the latter in an upright condition. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 12, the transfer mechanism comprises apusher arm 3l0 fast upon a vertical 7 shaft 3I2 rotatably mounted in a bracket 3 attached to the machine frame. The arm M0 is arranged to be rocked by a cam 3l6 fast on the vertical shaft I56. A two-armed lever, pivotally mounted in a bracket 3l8 attached to the machine frame, carries a, cooperating cam roll 320 in one arm 322 and is provided with a gear segment 324 on its second arm 326. The gear segment is arranged to mesh with a gear 328 fast on the rock shaft 3l2.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the driving mechanism includes an electric motor 330 connected by a belt 332 to a pulley 334 forming part of a clutch mechanism indicated generally at 336 and arranged to be engaged to drive a, gear 338 upon movement of the clutch handle 340. The gear 338 meshes with a gear 342 fast on a shaft 344 which latter is connected by a chain and sprocket drive 346 to the main cam shaft I66.

transversely of the magazine.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, itwill be understood that the invention may be embodiedin other forms within the scope of the following'claims. g

This is a division of my copending applicationSerial No. 414,640, filed October 11, 1941.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: V

1. In a bag making and filling machine, means for intermittently advancing in a straight path a connected strip of filled and sealed bag sections a distance of one bag length each cycle of operation, amagazine', disposed at one side of said path and provided with a mouth arranged in substantial alignment with the end bag sections as they are successively severed from the strip, bag severing -means, and transferring means operating in timed relation tothe operation of the bag severing means for moving each severed bag section bodily in a direction transversely of said path and into the mouthof said magazine.

2. In a bag making and filling machine, means for intermittently advancing in a straight path a connected strip of filled and sealed bag sections a distance of one bag length each cycle a magazine disposed at one side of of operation, said path and provided with a mouth arranged in substantial alignment with the end bag sections as they are successively severed from the strip, bag severing means, and transferring means operating in timed relation to the operation of the bag severing means for moving each severedtbag section bodily in a direction transversely of said path and into the mouth of said magazine, said magazine being shaped to engage the marginal portions of the bag sections to retain the bag sections in a position extending WIILIAM S. PATTERSON. 

